2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID battery

42 1-1. Hybrid system
Hybrid warning messageA message is automatically displayed when a malfunction occurs in
the hybrid system or an impr oper operation is attempted.
If a warning message is shown
on the multi-information display,
read the message and follow the
instructions. ( P. 577)
■If a warning light comes on or a wa rning message is displayed, or the
12-volt battery is disconnected
The hybrid system may not start. In that case, try to start the system again. If
the “READY” indicator does not come on, contact your Toyota dealer.
■ When refueling, the fuel filler door may take a few moments to open
As part of emission system operation, it may take up to 10 seconds for the
fuel filler door to automatically rel ease after the opener switch is pressed.
Before refueling is possible, a message will be shown on the multi-informa-
tion display. ( P. 120)
■ Running out of fuel
When the vehicle has run out of fuel and the hybrid system cannot be
started, refuel the vehicle with at least enough gasoline to make the low fuel
level warning light ( P. 570) go off. If there is only a small amount of fuel,
the hybrid system may not be able to start. (The minimum amount of fuel to
add to make the low fuel level warning light go out is about 2.5 gal. [9.8 L,
2.1 Imp. gal.], when the vehicle is on a level surface. This value may vary
when the vehicle is on a slope.)
■ If the master warning light comes on when the shift lever is in R
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and shift the shift lever out of R
to display the message.

43
1-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
■
Hybrid battery (traction battery)
The hybrid battery (traction battery) has a limited service life. The lifespan of
the hybrid battery (traction battery) can change in accordance with driving
style and driving conditions.
CAUTION
■High voltage precautions
The vehicle has high voltage DC and AC systems as well as a 12-volt sys-
tem. DC and AC high voltage is very dangerous and can cause severe burns
and electric shock that may result in death or serious injury.
●Never touch, disassemble, remove or replace the high voltage parts,
cables and their connectors.
● The hybrid system will become hot after starting as the system uses high
voltage. Be careful of both the high voltage and the high temperature, and
always obey the caution labels attached to the vehicle.
●Never try to open the service plug
access hole located on the left-hand
side of the second seat base. The ser-
vice plug is used only when the vehicle
is serviced and is subject to high volt-
age.

44 1-1. Hybrid system
CAUTION
■Road accident cautions
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of injury.
●Pull your vehicle off the road, put the shift lever in P, apply the parking
brake, and turn the hybrid system off.
● Do not touch the high voltage parts, cables and connectors.
● If electric wires are exposed inside or outside your vehicle, an electric
shock may occur. Never touch exposed electric wires.
● If a fluid leak occurs, do not touch it as it may be strong alkaline electrolyte
from the hybrid battery (traction battery). If it comes into contact with your
skin or eyes, wash it off immediately with a large amount of water or if pos-
sible, boric acid solution. Seek immediate medical attention.
● If a fire occurs in the hybrid vehicle, leave the vehicle as soon as possible.
Never use a fire extinguisher that is not meant for electric fires. Using even
a small amount of water may be dangerous.
● If your vehicle needs to be towed, do so with the four wheels raised. If the
wheels with the electric motor (traction motor) are on the ground when
towing, the motor may continue to generate electricity. This may cause an
electricity leakage leading to a fire.(
P. 560)
■ Nickel-metal hydride battery
Your vehicle contains a sealed nickel- metal hydride battery. If disposed of
improperly, it is hazardous to the environment and there is a risk of severe
burns and electrical shock that may result in death or serious injury.
■ Emergency shut off system
●Carefully check to see if there are exposed high voltage parts or cables.
Never touch the parts or cables. (
P. 37)
● Carefully inspect the ground under the vehicle. If you find that liquid has
leaked onto the ground, the fuel system may have been damaged. Leave
the vehicle as soon as possible.

45
1-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
NOTICE
■
Hybrid battery air vents
●Do not put foreign objects over the air vents. The hybrid battery (traction
battery) may overheat and be damaged.
● Clean the air vents regularly to prevent the hybrid battery (traction battery)
from overheating.
● Do not wet the air vents. It may cause a short circuit and damage the
hybrid battery (traction battery).
● Do not load a large amount of water such as water cooler into the vehicle.
If water spills over the hybrid battery (traction battery), the battery may be
damaged.

46
1-2. Key information
Keys
Using the mechanical key (vehicles with smart key system)
Take out the mechanical key.
After using the mechanical key,
store it in the electronic key. Carry
the mechanical key together with
the electronic key. If the electronic
key battery is depleted or the
entry function does not operate
properly, you will need the
mechanical key. (P. 596)
The following keys are provid ed with the vehicle.
Vehicles without smart key system
Master keys
Va l e t k e y
Key number plate
Vehicles with smart key system Electronic keys
• Operating the smart keysystem ( P. 48)
• Operating the wireless remote control function
( P. 61)
Mechanical keys
Key number plate

53
1-3. Opening, closing and locking the doors
1
Before driving
■
Operation signals
A buzzer sounds and the emergency flashers flash to indicate that the doors
have been locked/unlocked. (Locked: Once; Unlocked: Twice)
■ Conditions affecting operation
The smart key system uses weak radio waves. In the following situations,
the communication between the electronic key and the vehicle may be
affected, preventing the smart key system and wireless remote control from
operating properly. (Ways of coping: P. 596)
● When the electronic key battery is depleted
● Near a TV tower, electric power plant, gas station, radio station, large dis-
play, airport or other facility that generates strong radio waves or electri-
cal noise
● When carrying a portable radio, ce llular phone, cordless phone or other
wireless communication devices
● When the electronic key is in contact with, or is covered by a metallic
object
● When multiple electronic keys are in the vicinity
● When carrying or using the electronic key together with the following
devices that emit radio waves
• Another vehicle’s electronic key
• A wireless key that emits radio waves
• Personal computer
● If window tint with a metallic content or metallic objects are attached to
the rear window
■ Switching the door unlock function
It is possible to set which doors the entry function unlocks.
Turn the “POWER” switch OFF.
When the indicator on the key surface is turned off, push and hold
, or for approximately 5 seconds while pushing
on the key.
STEP1
STEP2

54 1-3. Opening, closing and locking the doors
The setting changes each time an operation is performed, as shown below.
(When changing the setting continuously, release the buttons, wait for at
least 5 seconds, and repeat step 2.)To prevent unintended triggering of the alarm, unlock the doors using the
wireless remote control and open and close a door once after the settings
have been changed. (If a door is not opened within 60 seconds aft-
er is pressed, the doors will be locked again and the alarm will auto-
matically be set.)
In case that the alarm is triggered, immediately stop the alarm. ( P. 129)
■ Battery-saving function
In the following circumstances, the entry function is disabled in order to pre-
vent the 12-volt battery from discharging and the electronic key battery from
depleting.
●When the entry function has not been used for 2 weeks or more
● When the electronic key has been left within approximately 3 ft. (1 m) of
the vehicle for 10 minutes or more
The system will resume operation when...
● The vehicle is locked using the door handle lock button.
● The vehicle is locked/unlocked using the wireless remote control func-
tion. ( P. 6 1 )
● The vehicle is locked/unlocked using the mechanical key. ( P. 596)
Multi-information
displayUnlocking doorsBeep
Hold the driver's door han-
dle to unlock only the
driver's door.
Exterior: Beeps three
times
Interior: Pings once
Hold the front passenger’s
door handle to unlock all
doors.
Hold either front door han-
dle to unlock all doors.Exterior: Beeps twice
Interior: Pings once

55
1-3. Opening, closing and locking the doors
1
Before driving
■
Electronic key battery depletion
●The standard battery life is 1 to 2 years. (The battery becomes depleted
even if the electronic key is not used.) If the smart key system or the
wireless remote control function does not operate, or the detection area
becomes smaller, the battery may be depleted. Replace the battery when
necessary. ( P. 533)
● If the battery becomes low, an alarm will sound in the cabin when the
hybrid system stops. (P. 56)
● To avoid serious deterioration, do not leave the electronic key within 3 ft.
(1 m) of the following electrical appliances that produce a magnetic field.
•TVs
• Personal computers
• Recharging cellular phones or cordless phones
• Table lamps
■ To operate the system properly
Make sure to carry the electronic key when operating the system. Do not get
the electronic key too close to the vehicle when operating the system from
the outside of the vehicle.
Depending on the position and holding condition of the electronic key, the
key may not be detected correctly and the system may not operate properly.
(The alarm may go off accidentally, or the door lock prevention may not func-
tion.)
■ Note for the entry function
●Even when the electronic key is within the effective range (detection
areas), the system may not operate properly in the following cases.
• The electronic key is too close to the window or outside door handle,
near the ground, or in a high place when the doors are locked or
unlocked.
• The electronic key is on the instrument panel, luggage cover, floor or in the glove box when the hybrid system is started or “POWER” switch
modes are changed.
● Do not leave the electronic key on top of the instrument panel or near the
door pockets when exiting the vehicle. Depending on the radio wave
reception conditions, it may be detected by the antenna outside the cabin
and the door will become lockable from the outside, possibly trapping the
electronic key inside the vehicle.